Golf club head

ABSTRACT

A golf club head includes a head body having a front opening, and a single-piece striking plate member covering the front opening and having a striking face with a striking zone, and a back face formed with an annular reinforcing rib behind the striking zone and corresponding in position to the striking zone, a central boss formed concentrically within the annular reinforcing rib, and a plurality of angularly spaced-apart diametral reinforcing ribs extending diametrically through the central boss and the annular reinforcing rib. The annular reinforcing rib and the diametral reinforcing ribs cooperate to define a plurality of receiving grooves. A plurality of vibration-absorbing elements are disposed respectively in the receiving grooves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a golf club head, more particularly to a golf club head that has a good vibration-absorbing effect.

2. Description of the Related Art

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional golf club head 1 includes a head body 11 having a front opening 111, and a striking plate 12 covering the front opening 111 for striking a golf ball (not shown). Since the conventional golf club head 1 is not provided with a vibration-absorbing element, when a player strikes the ball with a large swinging force, a substantial impact force is absorbed by the striking plate 12, such that an intense vibration is produced. This intense vibration can make it difficult to hit the ball accurately. Further, the intense vibration is transmitted to the player's hands which may bring discomfort to the player. Such transmission of vibration may be especially acute when the player is using a wood.

Referring to FIG. 3, another conventional golf club head 2, as disclosed in Taiwanese Patent No. M240256, includes a head body 21, and a striking plate 22 fixed to a front end face of the head body 21. A receiving space 23 is formed in a bottom portion of the head body 21 adjacent to the striking plate 22. Fluid 24 is filled into the receiving space 23 to serve as a vibration-absorbing element. The fluid 24 in the receiving space 23 produces a viscous force that dampens the vibration produced during striking of the ball. Although the conventional golf club head 2 of FIG. 3 can achieve a vibration-absorbing effect, the fluid 24 may leak out from the receiving space 23 during use of the golf club head 2 over time. Further, such a configuration of the conventional golf club head 2 is difficult and, therefore, expensive to produce. Moreover, during swinging of a golf club incorporating the golf club head 2, because of the movement of the fluid 24 in the receiving space 23, a delayed condition is produced, which reduces stability during hitting of the ball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head that can be produced at a minimum cost, and that can absorb vibration during hitting of a golf ball so that a player can control stably a striking direction of the golf ball and so that any feelings of discomfort given to the player as a result of receiving the transmission of vibration can be reduced.

According to this invention, a golf club head comprises a head body having a front opening, a single-piece striking plate member covering the front opening, and a plurality of vibration-absorbing elements. The striking plate member has a striking face with a striking zone, and a back face opposite to the striking face. The back face has an annular reinforcing rib formed thereon behind the striking zone and corresponding in position to the striking zone, a central boss formed concentrically within the annular reinforcing rib, and a plurality of angularly spaced-apart diametral reinforcing ribs extending diametrically through the central boss and the annular reinforcing rib. The annular reinforcing rib and the diametral reinforcing ribs cooperate to define a plurality of receiving grooves. The vibration-absorbing elements are disposed respectively in the receiving grooves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional golf club head;

FIG. 2 is an assembled sectional view of the conventional golf club head of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an assembled sectional view of a conventional golf club head disclosed in Taiwanese Patent No. M240256;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the first preferred embodiment in an assembled state;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the third preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the fourth preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the fifth preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the sixth preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the sixth preferred embodiment in an assembled state; and

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the seventh preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to the present invention is adapted to be applied to a wood, and is shown to comprise a head body 5 having a front opening 51, a single-piece striking plate member 6, and a plurality of vibration-absorbing elements 62.

The single-piece striking plate member 6 covers the front opening 51 of the head body 5, and is secured to the head body 5 by the use of an adhesive. The striking plate member 6 is made of a carbon fiber plastic material, and has a striking face 61 adapted to strike a golf ball (not shown), and a back face 63 opposite to the striking face 61. The back face 63 has an outer peripheral flange 615 that projects rearwardly from the back face 63 along an outer periphery of the back face 63, an annular reinforcing rib 614 formed on the back face 63 within the outer peripheral flange 615, a central boss 610 formed concentrically within the annular reinforcing rib 614, and a plurality of angularly spaced-apart diametral reinforcing ribs 612 extending diametrically through the central boss 610 and the annular reinforcing rib 614. The outer peripheral flange 615, the annular reinforcing rib 614, and the diametral reinforcing ribs 612 cooperate to define a plurality of receiving grooves 611.

The diametral reinforcing ribs 612 include a substantially vertical reinforcing rib 613, and a substantially horizontal reinforcing rib 613′ that intersects perpendicularly the vertical reinforcing rib 613. In an alternative embodiment, the vertical and horizontal reinforcing ribs 613, 613′ may intersect each other obliquely. Each of the vertical and horizontal reinforcing ribs 613, 613′ has two opposite ends connected to the outer peripheral flange 615.

The annular reinforcing rib 614 is located behind a striking zone or sweet spot of the striking face 61 so as to strengthen the structure of the striking zone and so as to be best positioned to absorb the vibration produced when hitting the golf ball. Alternatively, the area of the annular reinforcing rib 614 may be expanded so as to further protect areas outside the striking zone.

The vibration-absorbing elements 62 are disposed respectively in the receiving grooves 611. Each vibration-absorbing element 62 is made of a material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane, silicone, and natural rubber. Alternatively, each vibration-absorbing element 62 may be made of a non-alloyed metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, copper, zinc, and tin. As long as the material can achieve a sufficient vibration-absorbing effect, it is suitable for disposal in the corresponding receiving groove 611.

Because of the carbon fiber plastic material of the striking plate member 6, in cooperation with the vibration-absorbing elements 62 disposed in the respective grooves 611, when the striking face 61 of the striking plate member 6 hits the golf ball, the vibration produced during hitting of the golf ball is directly and effectively transmitted to the back face 63, and is absorbed by the vibration-absorbing elements 62. As such, the vibration that is transferred to the player's hands is minimized, and the player can stably and accurately strike the golf ball in a desired direction.

Referring to FIG. 6, the second preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to the present invention is shown to be similar to the first preferred embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the diametral reinforcing ribs 612 further include a plurality of angularly spaced-apart oblique reinforcing ribs 616 intersecting the vertical and horizontal reinforcing ribs 613, 613′ obliquely. The oblique reinforcing ribs 616 similarly strengthen the structure of the back face 63. In this embodiment, there are four oblique reinforcing ribs 616 intersecting the vertical and horizontal reinforcing ribs 613, 613′. Each oblique reinforcing rib 616 is thinner than the vertical and horizontal reinforcing ribs 613, 613′. Thicknesses of and spacing between the oblique reinforcing ribs 616 may be adjusted accordingly depending on the expected amount of force to be absorbed.

Referring to FIG. 7, the third preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to the present invention is shown to be similar to the first preferred embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the striking plate member (6 a) is adapted to be applied to a putter. The diametral reinforcing ribs (612 a) further include a plurality of angularly spaced-apart oblique reinforcing ribs (616 a) extending from the annular reinforcing rib (610 a) toward the outer peripheral flange (615 a). Vibration produced during putting of the golf ball can be similarly absorbed by the back face (63 a) and the vibration-absorbing elements (62 a) in the back face (63 a) so that stability during putting is enhanced.

Referring to FIG. 8, the fourth preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to the present invention is shown to be similar to the second preferred embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the striking plate member (6 b) is adapted to be applied to an iron. The advantages of the second preferred embodiment can be similarly attained using the fourth preferred embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, the fifth preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to the present invention is shown to be similar to the first preferred embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the striking plate member (6 c) further has a ring 618 projecting rearwardly from the back face (63 c) and extending concentrically around the annular reinforcing rib (614 c). Two opposite ends of each of the vertical and horizontal reinforcing ribs (613 c, 613 c′) are connected to the ring 618. The back face (63 c) further has a plurality of angularly spaced-apart radial reinforcing ribs 617 that extend from the annular reinforcing rib (614 c) toward the ring 618. The ring 618, the annular reinforcing rib (614 c), the vertical and horizontal reinforcing ribs (613 c, 613 c′), and the radial reinforcing ribs 617 cooperate to define the receiving grooves (611 c).

The ring 618 is located behind the striking zone of the striking face (61 c) so as to strengthen the structure of the striking region and so as to be best positioned to absorb the vibration produced when hitting the golf ball. Alternatively, the area of the ring 618 may be expanded so as to further protect areas outside the striking zone.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the sixth preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to the present invention is shown to be similar to the first preferred embodiment. However, unlike the first preferred embodiment, the outer peripheral flange (615 d), the annular reinforcing rib (614 d), the vertical and horizontal reinforcing ribs (613 d, 613 d′) of the diametral reinforcing ribs (612 d), and the central boss (610 d) are not formed as a single piece with the striking plate member (6 d), and are instead adhesively bonded to the back face (63 d) of the striking plate member (6 d).

Referring to FIG. 12, the seventh preferred embodiment of a golf club head according to the present invention is shown to be similar to the second preferred embodiment. However, unlike the second preferred embodiment, the outer peripheral flange (615 e), the annular reinforcing rib (614 e), the vertical and horizontal reinforcing ribs (613 e, 613 e′) of the diametral reinforcing ribs (612 e), and the central boss (610 e) are not formed as a single piece with the striking plate member (6 e), and are instead adhesively bonded to the back face (63 e) of the striking plate member (6 e).

From the aforementioned description, it is apparent that through the carbon fiber plastic material of the striking plate member (6, 6 a, 6 b, 6 c, 6 d, 6 e) and the presence of the vibration-absorbing elements (62, 62 a, 62 b, 62 c) in the respective grooves (611, 611 c), the vibration produced during striking of the golf ball by the player can be directly and quickly transmitted to the back face (63, 63 a, 63 b, 63 c, 63 d, 63 e) and absorbed by the vibration-absorbing elements (62, 62 a, 62 b, 62 c), thereby minimizing the effect of vibration on the accurate swinging of the golf club. Because the vibration that is transmitted to the player's hands is minimized, any feelings of discomfort given to the player are reduced. Further, because each vibration-absorbing element (62, 62 a, 62 b, 62 c) of the present invention is made of a solid material, e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane, silicone, or natural rubber, the problems of leakage and stability reduction encountered in the aforementioned conventional golf club head does not occur in the present invention. Moreover, the overall structure of the golf club head of the present invention is simple, so that its production costs are minimized.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A golf club head comprising: a head body having a front opening; a single-piece striking plate member covering said front opening and having a striking face with a striking zone, and a back face opposite to said striking face, said back face having an annular reinforcing rib formed thereon behind said striking zone and corresponding in position to said striking zone, a central boss formed concentrically within said annular reinforcing rib, and a plurality of angularly spaced-apart diametral reinforcing ribs extending diametrically through said central boss and said annular reinforcing rib, said annular reinforcing rib and said diametral reinforcing ribs cooperating to define a plurality of receiving grooves; and a plurality of vibration-absorbing elements disposed respectively in said receiving grooves.
 2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein said diametral reinforcing ribs include a substantially vertical reinforcing rib, and a substantially horizontal reinforcing rib that intersects perpendicularly said vertical reinforcing rib.
 3. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein said diametral reinforcing ribs further include a plurality of angularly spaced-apart oblique reinforcing ribs intersecting said vertical reinforcing rib obliquely.
 4. The golf club head of claim 3, wherein said back face has an outer peripheral flange that projects rearwardly from said back face along an outer periphery of said back face, each of said diametral reinforcing ribs having two opposite ends connected to said outer peripheral flange.
 5. The golf club head of claim 2, wherein said striking plate member further has a ring projecting rearwardly from said back face and extending concentrically around said annular reinforcing rib, said back face further having a plurality of angularly spaced-apart radial reinforcing ribs that extend from said annular reinforcing rib toward said ring. 